Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2012!
>
Faye's 2012 List - 112% Complete
Mod
Harry Potter is self-absorbed, hypocritical, womanizing, slit-your-wrists, alcoholic hipster that finally visits Narnia 2/3 of the way through the book.
Narnia has a stable of horses kept solely for the frequent and loud sexual pleasure of centaurs. Women refer to their own breasts/ boobs/ chests as "tits." Edmund is "diddled" by the neighbour.
Alcohol is the constant shorthand for romanticized depression that comes from being powerful, intellectually superior and misunderstood. Yeesh. You'd think someone of this supposed calibre would have better drugs than plain ol' booze.
Despite not wanting to read about HP being deep inside anyone else, I'll probably read the second book because this series was referred to me by a dear friend that usually has good taste.
Mod
After reading the previous Sookie Stackhouse book, I was feeling like the whole series was getting too drawn out and was uncertain as to bothering to continuing.
However, this was fun. It reminded me of Charlaine Harris' quote “Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.” Returning to the familiarity of Sookie was easy, and there was enough action for the book to stand on it's own.
Mod
Do you think summer smells like murdered grass and sounds like grasshoppers f*cking?
No one makes becoming a magician, royalty, or a demi-god quite as blasé as Lev Grossman does, and I read with contempt for the first 90% of this book. At that point, spolier(?) one of the wrist-slitting hipsters is raped by a belligerent god and she describes it as feeling wondrous. That was the final straw. I would not willingly read another book by this author if he wrote my biography.
Somewhere, Lev Grossman is sitting in the top of a very tall tower, drinking his 8th scotch, laughing because I'm not getting that 16 hours of my life back.
Mod
Ryan Knighton's humour shines through - perhaps especially worth picking up if you are a new parent.
Mod
Janet does it again. Stephanie Plum exactly as you want her. It's like cluck in a bucket, this is.
Mod
This book is probably about as clever as a book can get. There's some seriously cool stuff in here... a tattoo that possesses the owner; an ipod sheltering some protective spirit that doesn't like Morrissey and a guy that has the power to make everyone around him think they vaguely know him and he belongs. Love it. On top of that, some jolly good british chin-wags. Lots of 'em.
So how come it felt like such a slog? I've had a hard time figuring it out, but I think it boils down to the writing style. It's the sentences. It's the sentences that are tripping me up. It's the sentences that are tripping me up because there are so many of them that draw out what needs to be said.
Then, there are the constant status checks. One character says something that moves the plot one iota further, and you get a sweep of the micro-reactions of each of the 8 people and 3 objects in the room. Repeat several times before plot moves on.
I wish he'd trimmed about 25% of the book.
It's not China Miéville; it's me. This guy is pretty much brilliant and I just can't even leave it at that.
Mod
This was a rare re-read for me, and a fun one because I read it aloud to my daughter. Sadly she kept on saying "Hey, in the real movie..." every time the plot varied from the movie. However, it was still really special to get to go on such a grand adventure together with her.
The book was very enjoyable, as I'm sure everyone knows. The one thing that kept on tripping me up is that Hermione is almost always referred to as Hermione Granger - by the middle of the book there was no confusion as to whether there were 2 or more Hermiones, so this wasn't necessary.
I'm going to borrow my late Aunt's versions of some of the next in the series, which should be interesting, since she used a pencil to correct the grammar in them throughout.
Mod
I am totally in love with Bucksahaw and Flavia. If I could live in any book, I would choose to be one of Flavia's sisters. The village environment and family are so richly and perfectly developed and Flavia is such a great character. I don't understand why Alan Bradley isn't the constant talk of the town. He is so talented. This book featured some show business glamour and a clever plot to trap St. Nick. If you haven't read this series, I heartily recommend it.
Mod
This is an absolutely clever, fantastic and absurd adventure. I can't believe I hadn't heard of it before. I feel like a cheap marketer, but I am tempted to say, if you liked The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll love The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear.
Mod
It was one of those days when you have to leave for your commute in 10 minutes and you are completely out of audiobooks. I searched my library's site for an available ipod compatible audiobook to download and it was between this and Amerigo: The Man Who Gave His Name to America or some book on reading financial spreadsheets. I'm sure the spreadsheets book would have been more educational, but it sounded like an odd use of audio-book commute time. Needless to say, my expectations were low.
This is obviously not Kelley Armstrong's first mash at a keyboard. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, but it had a plot kept going, just like a pat little episode of some low-budget TV drama you might happen to catch but don't care much about. There may be some loss of brain cells throughout the entertainment process.
Mod
I think I first noticed this book as a Goodreads choice awards' nominee in the comedy category. Of course, I remember Betty White from the Golden Girls and I absolutely loved her in Saturday Night Live, but I can't say I've sought out any of her other work.
When this audiobook, read by Betty herself revealed itself as an option available at the library, I thought, "Why not? If it's half as funny as Bossypants, one of the other other books nominated in the same category on Goodreads or her SNL appearance, you should be in for a treat."
Betty is a sweet old lady that loves animals and has a better vantage point on Hollywood than your own grandmother does. Hearing her read this was like a pleasant Sunday afternoon tea where you don't get a word in edgewise, but are happy to oblige the ramblings of the other party.
Now I'm questioning whether this book was a nominee in the comedy category. Maybe it was the Biographies? Betty readily admits she is an actor with a good sense of comic timing and the benefit of great writers, not a comedian. That makes sense now.
Mod
Read the description and you'll assume only nerdiest of nerds could possibly be interested in this book, however, I thought the author did a great job of storytelling.
Mod
It's amazing that I'd never heard of Dr. Brinkley before. What a fascinating character.
Mod
Once I got over the fact that the main character is a total ninny and 25% of the time the love interest is a total ass, and, okay, most the characters are pretty flat, I realized that this is actually a hilarious, blood-thirsty bodice ripper with a reasonably well woven plot. Gratuitous by every definition. I laughed out loud several times.
Mod
Ho-hum. Too many football references. The main character's a squirrel. I can't get hot and bothered about men in golf shirts, either.
Mod
I listened to the audio version of this book and I wonder what any fellow commuters that saw the green tinge and horrorstruck look on my face thought. Repulsive as the subject matter is, the author incorporates a broad mix of interesting facts, historical tidbits and anecdotes in just the way that accessible, popular non fiction ought to be.
Mod
Several times during this book, I thought to myself, "If this was a YA novel, we'd have this wrapped up in the next 20 pages; that's just enough story to keep the reader interested enough to buy the next book." "What?" you're asking, that's clearly not what makes this an ADULT novel. No, you're right, this book is a total smut fest, but (and?) I can't help but completely admire the author for making it look pretty easy to put together this action-packed rollercoaster of a plotline.
Mod
Since this is based on a blog started in ~2001, so I'll assume I'm the last person on earth to have enjoyed Hugh MacLeod's insights into the creative life. Having ordered this book at the library, I thought this book would have creativity exercises, like, I dunno, brainstorming or something. But it's nothing like that and that is a-okay. Not satisfied with the small amount of time or equipment you have to fulfill your destiny as a great artist? If this doesn't provide some useful guidance or perspective, it at least shows the common struggle. Short, easy. Take what you want from it.
Mod
This is a pretty interesting memoir; if you want to know more about the revival lifestyle without actually participating, this holds the insights that may otherwise be tough to pin down. Great context here.
There are enough details that you can feel as if you're almost there, which, great as it is, was kind of weird to me since, as a memoir, it is being told from the author's perspective and focusing on the ages 3-7 for a good part of it. I kept on thinking, how could you possibly remember that you bit your lip before saying that? You were 4. That being said, it the narrator's perspective reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird a bit. She's an honest good kid in a real crazy world.
I guess it's a testament to how fascinating her Donna Johnson's life has been that I kept thinking that with a slightly different telling of the story, it could be pretty hot stuff - you know, corruption, adultery and all. However, the format does not exploit the subject material to it's greatest extent so while it's quite interesting, it's not completely entertaining.
Mod
The first half of this book features a lot of forced and un-sexy tension between the central characters; I was really beginning to feel that the series had peaked in book 2. However, The plot got going again in the second half and it managed to put the franchise back on track.
Mod
One of the better of the series, which I must be enjoying, since I'm such a roll.
Mod
Silly, clever, but not quite my favourite of Jasper Fforde's works. I love the marzipan addiction and clever jabs at commercialism.
Mod
This book was on the Goodreads April 2012 "Movers & Shakers" list and comparisons to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo are invoked on the jacket. Okay, you've got my attention.
15% read - Ugh! What am I doing? Such an obvious first novel. Michael Olson assumes he has to provide a definition of all technological and sexual terms? Exactly where is this guy planning on finding an audience that knows nothing about either? Very old nuns? Okay, maybe, but people that understand neither and want to read this book? Where are those people?
25% read - How is this book not like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Well, the main character is not terribly likeable, sure he's clever and horny, but that doesn't make him likeable. We're supposed to admire this hero, right? So far I'm just neutral. Also, the women in this book are completely objectified. I'm guessing this is going to be the definitive work on objectification. Berger is always respected; there's no Berger or liberal journalists here to offer balance to nastiness.
35% read - The inclusion of sex in this storyline seems totally gratuitous. Yes, the plot acts like it needs the sex to move forward, but really, it doesn't. Any book could have been used for Billy's game platform, any product could have been under the iTeams' development - the sexualization of these seems cheap. Yes, sex sells but this seems like a used car salesman's pitch. Ready Player One creates a fantastic online-game fiction without all these cheap shots. I can't believe I suggested this as a group read.
Speaking of Ready Player One, should we expect that future literature is going to be based on online adventures? Don't get me wrong, Ready Player One did it so right; but watching someone else surf the net seems like a waste of life. Is that what we' re going to have to read about from now on?
43% read - Mwah hah ha! Dick in a Box! The sexual inferences so far have done nothing to turn me on, but at least this is funny.
50% read - Okay, I'm interested enough in this book to want to keep reading. I'm convinced that Michael Olson is clever enough to deliver a mysteriously complex plot. I'm cutting the tape that secures the dust jacket from my public library edition so no one in the doctor's office sees what crap I'm reading while in the waiting room.
56% read - The editor's at Black Lace have it right; men cannot write erotica for women. I'm sure this part is supposed to sexy, and I hope and presume for the author that it is to men, but it's filler to me.
65% read - The problem here is my expectations - the whole invocation of
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo on the back of the hardcover made me think I was going to be reading something intelligent. If this had been an unknown, spine-crushed mass-market paperback touting itself as a macho thriller that I found on the take-a-book-leave-a-book shelf at a campground; my expectations would have been on par with the plot and I'd be happy with this.
90% read - Good use of sex toys as weapons. Is this the end? No wait, there's more.... and more....
100% read - This wasn't intended as a bestselling paperback; Michael Olson had Hollywood in his sites. It could happen, too. It won't be groundbreaking blockbuster, just shlock approved by committee before rolling into theatres and making it's way to DVD. All the plot twists are there. Are all the female characters Bond caricatures? Yeah, but the men aren't really well-developed characters, either. I'm not anywhere near "flushed, breathless and begging for more" as stated on the dustjacket, but I'm thinking this may have generated a lot of discussion as a group /book club read afterall.
Mod
A well-researched historical New York mystery with all the right twists and good characters. Delightful.
Faye wrote: "27. Strange FleshThis book was on the Goodreads April 2012 "Movers & Shakers" list and comparisons to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo are invoked on the jacket. Okay, you've got my attention...."
Okay, so where is it comparable? TGWTD and it's sequels were treatises on violence against women, which doesn't seem to be the case here. Does it take place in Scandanavia? Is he a reporter? Is it because it's a mystery? Is it a bait-and-switch?
Mod
This book was on the Goodreads April 2012 "Movers & Shakers" list and comparisons to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo are invoked on the jacket. Okay, you've got my a..."
Both Lisbeth Sander and James Pryce are hackers employed by private security/ investigative firms. They both get caught up in solving cases where sadism is a component of the major case. That's the extent of the similarities as far as I'm concerned.
Ahh. They're both hackers, well of course it's comparable.
Mod
Just like Justin Bieber and Bob Dylan are both Singer/ Songwriters.
30. Mr. Fox
Make your own Mr. Fox at home! Place one manuscript (or a few shorter fable manuscripts) in blender with ¾ bottle strong cough syrup. Blend until thoroughly confusing with flecks of cleverness and cruelty. Serve to a captive audience (such as transatlantic flight passengers) to ensure the first half goes down. Optional: Place head in oven.
Mod
Jeffrey Eugenides does an exquisite job of crafting 3 unique, sympathetic college-age characters whose lives intertwine in an early '80's love triangle.
Mod
I dunno. If I'm reading vampire trash, I don't want my main character to try and convert me. Other than the bible-thumping, kinda whatever.
Mod
The back cover talk is 75% science and 25% surfer, so I expected a good mix of essays from a variety of wave-interested parties. However, this book is 75% Susan Casey creamin' her panties over Lard Hamilton.
I do have more respect for big-wave riders after completing this - they are, afterall, pursuing mastery. There's some neat stuff about insuring ships and Susan is a handy with a simile. I just can't help comparing her surfer idols to addicts of other types, risking life and limb... Krokodil, anyone?
Mod
When you thoroughly investigate an unfortunate event (and, yes, that's putting it very mildly in a WWII context), it's amazing to usually find out that there were a bunch of reasonable people involved making reasonable decisions with the information they had. It's hard to fathom how someone like Hitler could ever come to power, but Erik Larson is able to focus his microscope on the point in time that conditions became right in such a way that better explains the how such a thing could happen than I might ever expect to find.
As a Canadian, I also found it interesting to hear the US version of this point in history, which is a pretty short paragraph in our high school text books (not the war, but the US' role.) The book also offers a different perspective than the ones that have been made famous through popular stories such asSchindler's List or The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Erik Larson's account in thorough and intriguing. The fact-finder in me is sated.
Mod
Much of this book was not earth-shattering, but there were some good points. I think the idea of reminding myself that I have a choice as to what I do will help get me out of the procrastinating rut in the future.
Mod
This book didn't lack in plot twists, but unfortunately, there were giant road signs every twenty feet alerting readers exactly as to what those upcoming twists would entail. Lacking any element of surprise or characters with any depth, the only thing this books really could have going for it is the bit of research needed to pull off a historical novel. However, this one didn't bring any angles fresh enough to be interesting in that way, either.
Mod
Absolutely laugh out loud funny and not in the cliched, not really laughing LOL way. I adored this audio-book and want to take Augusten Burroughs on a all future road trips.
Faye wrote: "34. In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's BerlinWhen you thoroughly investigate an unfortunate event (and, yes, that's putting it very mildly in a WWII context..."
We only get a paragraph? Don't you Canadians realize how important we are? ;)
Glad to see you've been able to get a little reading in. I hope that means the B&B is going well.
Mod
Yeah, in our high school history texts, I'm pretty sure the sentence fragment reads "... and at the last minute the US jumped on board," then goes on the talk about something else. Oh well. In all other matters we recognize and understand the importance of our American cousins.
The B&B is picking up. It's very exciting. I love being a host. Feeling a bit stretched, though. Most of these are audio-books. Cleaning is much more fun with a storyteller.
Audio book while cleaning? I'll have to try that!
Mod
This went from being creepy in the very best ghost story way to creepy as in the yucky, I-don't-wanna-deal-with-this-junk kinda way. I did appreciate the authenticate historical feeling of the first 90% of the book.
Mod
For some reason, I thought this book would be heartwarming and funny.
However, much of this book was like being forced to endure an opinionated and overbearing relative tell you the way it is for several hours. Dan Savage makes little effort to disguise his intense dislike for fat people, straight people, women, and even dogs throughout and listening to such a bitter narration does little to gain the support or interest of this reader. It got a little better towards the end, but not enough to really make it enjoyable overall. At least Dan seems to know how narrow-minded he is. He is clearly not a graduate of the "flies with honey program."
For the record, I support gay marriage legislation as does probably everyone that willingly reads this book. I used to love Dan Savage's Savage Love column back when I lived in a city with a weekly that ran it. I respect the "it gets better" movement.
I was so curious as to what Terry looked like because of Dan's descriptions, I had to google him afterwards.
Faye wrote: "39. The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My FamilyFor some reason, I thought this book would be heartwarming and funny.
However, much of this book was like being forced to endure an opinio..."
I could not agree with you more. I really respect Dan Savage for the "It Gets Better" movement, which I think has had a very profound effect on people.
Beyond that, I have found him to almost unbearable to listen to. He will not tolerate any sort of homophobia (rightfully so, IMHO) but he happily be sexist, body judging, hetereophobic and just flat out cynical while preaching his message of tolerance. I could only handle that for so long, I used to listen to his podcast that stemmed from the 'Savage Love' newspaper article. As he lived here in Portland for awhile and was all the rage around these parts, it was impossible not to become intrigued.
It was just so hard to read his book or listen to his show after how much he berated people.
Tiffani wrote: "I could not agree with you more. I really respect Dan Savage for the "It Gets Better" movement, which I think has had a very profound effect on people.Beyond that, I have found him to almost unbearable to listen to. He will not tolerate any sort of homophobia (rightfully so, IMHO) but he happily be sexist, body judging, hetereophobic and just flat out cynical while preaching his message of tolerance. I could only handle that for so long, I used to listen to his podcast that stemmed from the 'Savage Love' newspaper article. As he lived here in Portland for awhile and was all the rage around these parts, it was impossible not to become intrigued.
It was just so hard to read his book or listen to his show after how much he berated people..."
it's interesting how perceptions can vary. i think Dan Savage has 'mellowed' quite a bit lately. when i started listening to his podcasts, i went back to the first podcast and listened to them sequentially. i thought he was pretty harsh, but he's really sanded down those rough edges. i don't see any sexism or body judging or heterophobia in him (or, at least, not recently.)
I should probably edit to add that I stopped listening to him/reading his work about 2 years ago. It would be great if he has mellowed out since then because I really enjoyed some of his articles and podcasts.
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Sacré Bleu: A Comedy d'Art (other topics)The Sisters Brothers (other topics)
The Glass Castle (other topics)
Half Broke Horses (other topics)
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Christopher Moore (other topics)J.K. Rowling (other topics)
Kurt Andersen (other topics)
Sebastian Barry (other topics)
Dan Savage (other topics)
More...
What a great start to the year. A month ago if you'd asked me if my little weight problem had anything to do with the wheat I consumed, I'd have said no. About my ongoing exhaustion with little exertion? Of course not.
I started this book on Dec 28 and stopped eating wheat at the same time to see if it made a difference. Felt good - almost instantly deflated half of my muffin top. (Sorry if this is too much information.)
On New Year's Eve, I ate some brie wrapped in croissant pastry. You, know, it's a holiday! Instant bloat to the point of not really being able to carry on the festivities.
No wheat since then and I can't remember that last time I felt like I had so much energy. I don't think I'll ever eat wheat again and I don't generally like to say I'm going to do or not do stuff unless I mean is.
I don't feel deprived at all. What's the best part of pizza? Cheese and tomato sauce of course. Peanut butter on toast? Peanut butter al the way.
Does the book have some flaws? Well, maybe it's a bit technical at times, but it answered all of my concerns and gave me the ideas on how to do it right.
If you've got a spare tire and/ or you're on a January health quest, I'd highly recommend a copy of this book! I'm convinced this will be a book that changed my life.